Roguelike Radio

This is episode 82 of Roguelike Radio, where we interview Zeno, maker of Hydra Slayer and HyperRogue. Talking this episode are Darren Grey, KawaiiDragoness and Zeno. Read more »

Aaron Steed, an indie developer known for his rogue-like puzzle games, and Mark Johnson, creator of Ultimate Ratio Regum, delve into the intricate world of puzzle design. They discuss the balance between clarity and surprise in puzzle creation, exploring the depth of procedural mechanics in games. Aaron shares insights on blending randomness in puzzles for replayability, while Mark outlines innovative approaches to systemic puzzle design. Together, they examine the challenges of ensuring puzzle solvability and keeping them engaging, highlighting the importance of integrating puzzles into the gameplay.

This is episode 80 of Roguelike Radio, where we talk about UnReal World, the decades old Finnish iron age survival roguelike. Talking this episode are Eben Howard, GameHunter and Sami Maaranen (creator of UnReal World). Read more »

Tom Ford, a developer with expertise in mobile roguelike design, joins Eben Howard, an avid roguelike enthusiast, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of mobile gaming. They explore the importance of rethinking touch interfaces, advocating for intuitive controls over on-screen buttons. The duo dives into specific design innovations like WazHack’s side-scrolling mechanics and Dungeon Ascendance’s context-aware gameplay. They also emphasize the need for short, engaging sessions and effective inventory management to enhance player experience on mobile devices.

Join board-game enthusiast Jurie Horneman, designer Eben Howard, and indie developer Ido Yehieli as they dive into the cross-pollination of board games and digital roguelikes. They explore how mechanics from classics like Carcassonne inspire procedural generation and narrative depth. Highlights include the creativity spurred by design constraints, the thrill of hidden information in gameplay, and innovative concepts like permanent changes in gaming systems. Listen in as they discuss how simple rules can lead to complex and engaging stories.

In this engaging discussion, game designer Eben Howard, known for his insights on roguelike mechanics, addresses the often-misguided 'Hero Trap' that players fall into. He and the hosts explore how narrative framing in games like FTL encourages heroism, often leading to risky decisions. They delve into strategies such as teaching players to retreat, recommending beginner-friendly builds that focus on stealth, and revising XP models to reward non-combat approaches. They also discuss creating meaningful narratives and tactical frameworks to enhance player experience in roguelikes.

Jim Shepard, the creative mind behind Dungeonmans and a former AAA developer, dives into the tactical world of roguelikes. He shares the interesting journey of Dungeonmans, from its XNA origins to the challenges of resuming development. Brian Jeffers, an advocate for niche roguelikes, joins the conversation, exploring the balance of class rules and player freedom. They discuss the engaging Academy mechanics, where progression persists between runs, and the cheeky humor inspired by tabletop games. Get ready for insights into indie development and crowdfunding!

Speakers discuss the gameplay elements and ongoing Kickstarter campaign for Cataclysm Dark Days Ahead. They explore the history, development, and involvement in the game. They also discuss the number of contributors and project size, GitHub coordination and design principles, resolving disagreements in game development, implementing bikes and vehicles, raising money for a full-time coder, and recent refinements and momentum in development.

This is episode 74 of Roguelike Radio, where we discuss Sword of the Stars: The Pit. Talking this episode are KawaiDragoness, Eben Howard and TorNis. Read more »

This is episode 73 of Roguelike Radio, on Let's Play Videos. Speaking this episode are Darren Grey, KawaiDragoness, Tom Birkel (aka GameHunter) and Eric Moran (aka belmarduk). Read more »